Expanded-metal machine



F. M. WHETSTONE.

EXPANDED METAL MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 19, 1912.

1 ,353,198, I PatentedSept. 21, 1920;

5 SHEETS-SHEET I.

M 49 I 21 flaw/w- 2:

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

F. M. WHETSTONE.

EXPANDED METAL MACHINE.

, APPLICATION FILED FEB. 19, 1917- 1 ,353,198 PatentedSept. 21,1920.

Frank 11/ F. M. WHETSTONE.

EXPANDED METAL MACHINE. APPLXCATI ON FILED FEB. 19. 1917.

1,353,19 PatentedSept. 21,1920;

5 SHEETSSHEET 3 F. M. WHETSTONE.

EXPANDED METAL MACHINE.

. APPLICATION FILED FEB. I9, 1917. 1,353, 198, PatentedSept. 21, 1920.-

5 SHEETSSHEET 4.

am/Qatar F. M. WHE'TSTONE.

EXPANDED METAL MACHINE APPLICATION FILED FEB. 19, 1917.

1, 53,19 PatentedSept. 21,1920.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

Ina/e nt or Fr 1 Ma QEW UNITED sTA'res PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK MURRAY VJHETSTONE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIG-NOE TO MILWAUKEE CORRUGATING COMPANY, OF GREENFIELD, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

'EXPANDED-METAL MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patenfgd Sept; 21; 1920 -App1ication filed February 19, 1917. Serial No. 149,645.

T 0 all "whom 2'0 may concern Be it known that l, FRANK MURRAY \VHnTs'roNn, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Chicago, county of'Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Expanded- Metal Machines, of which the following is a specification, and which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof. I

The invention relates to sheet metal working machines and more especially to those which are intended for producing expanded metal. One of the objects of the invention is the provision of a machine which is constructed to produce expanded metal of improved quality particularly with respect to regularity in the size and shape of the meshes and to uniformity in the dimensions of the strands and bonds. To this end the invention contemplates the use of slit-ting and forming dies of improved construction.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a detailfront end view of an expanded metal machine embodying the features of improvement of the invention, some of the parts being shown in section and other parts being broken away to expose the slitting and forming dies,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail transverse sectional view taken on the plane indicated by the line 22 on Fig. 5, of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1 with the movable dies in a different position,

Figs. 3 and 4 are detail longitudinalsectional views taken on the planes indicated b y the lines 3-3 and l& respectively on Fig. l, p

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail plan view with some of the parts broken way and with the dies shown in their separated or open position, V p

Fig. 6 is a similar vew to Fig. 5, but dra in to a still larger scale, showing the dies in closed position upon the worlcwitl'i ue of the parts broken away to expose the concealed earts at a plurality of different levels, indicated by the line 66 on Fig. 11,

Figs. 7, 8, 9 and 10 are enlargec detail perspective views showing different elements of the machine separated from other parts, the part shown in Fig. 7 being stationary forming dies and that shown in Fig. 8 being a stationary cutter, while the part shown in Fig. 9 is a spacing element and the part shown in Fig. 10 is one of the movable cutting and expanding dies,

Fig. 11 is-a detail perspective view of a partly expanded sheet with the result of a subsequent. operation of the machine indicated in part by dotted lines; and

. Fig. 1.2 is a'gen'eral plan view showing the reciprocating truing bar and its actuating connections, parts of the machine being as a (Fig. 11) are first producedby the cooperation of stationary and movable slitting or cutting dies, as l5'16' (Fig. 1), while each of the partial slits a is subsequently extended as'at. Z) (Fig. 11) and thestrand 0 thus formed is deflected in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the original sheet X by the cooperation of a movable slitting or cutting and expanding die 17 with a stationary slitting or cutting die 18. In the improved machine herein illustrated, the movable cutting and expanding die 17 has an oblique face 19 and regularity in the shape of the meshes, as d (Fig. 11) is insured through the fact that a part of each strand 0 is engaged with the oblique face 19 of the die 17 and pressed against an oblique abutment shoulder 20. \Vhile the die 1? is shown as being provided with an 'obliqueface 19 at each .end, it is to be understood that the two ends of the die are thus prepared to permit. of reversing the die after a period of use. Similarly, the cutting dies 15,16 and 18 are preferably also prepared to permit of their beingreversed when one end has been dulled by use.

As in the machine of my said former pat,- ent, there is a sufficient number of each of the dies 15, 16, 1'7 and 18 to extend in a As shown, the sheet X is entered in the feed trough 21 at one end of the machine and has a step by step movement through the trough. It will therefore be observed that the work reaches the level of the dies 15, 16, before it reaches the level of-the dies 17 18. For this reason the dies 17, 18 may be omitted for a distance at one end of the machine, as at 32 (Fig. 3) and 33 (Fig. 4). However, the number of pairs of dies 17, 18 is preferably equal to the number of pairs of dies 15, 16. The rows of dies 17 18 accordingly extend beyond the rows of dies 15, 16 at the other end of the machine.

While the rows of dies 15, 16, 17 and 18 are inclined to the path of movement of the sheet, as X, the cutting edges of all of the said dies are preferably located in planes which are parallel with the longitudinal edges of the work. For this purpose an inclined seat, as 23 or 24, is provided for each of the said dies. As shown, the inclined seats 23 for the dies 15 are formed upon or attached to and extend along a stationary head or part, as 25, of the machine frame. Similarly, the inclined seats 24 for the dies 16 are formed upon or attached to and extend along a sliding punch head, generally designated 26. The inclined seats 23 and 24 for the dies 17 and 18 are formed upon spacing blocks, as 27, (Fig. 9). These spacing blocks are applied to the said fixed part 25 of the machine frame and to the punch head 26 over the dies 15 or 16 of the corresponding lower row. The dies 16, 17 are held in place upon the punch head 26 by clamps, as 28, which bear upon the dies 17. In securing the dies 15 and 18 upon the fixed part, as 25, of the machine frame, on the other hand, provision is to be made for the location of one of the inclined abutment shoulders 20 immediately over each of the dies 18. For this purpose a former plate 29, made in'sections, extends over the dies 18. The several sections of this former plate are each provided with tapering fingers or projections 30, one of which ex tends forwardly over each of the dies 18 and each of said fingers has an oblique outer end which serves as the corresponding abutment shoulder 20. hen this arrangement is employed the dies 15 and 18, the inter vening spacing blocks 27 and the sections of the former plate 29 are all held in place by the use of clamps 31 which bear upon the said former plate 29. At the places, as 32 (Fig. 3) and 33 (Fig. 4) where the dies 17 and 18 are omitted, a filling block, as 34 or 35, is introduced between the corresponding clamp 28 or 31 and the spacing block 27.

Each of the initial slits, as 0 is formed in the work with a shearing cut by the cooperation of the lower edge of the slightly beveled front end of one of the dies 16 with the upper edge of the square front end of the corresponding die 15. The extension, as b, of each slit is formed by the cooperation of the lower. edge of thebeveled face 19 of one of the dies 17 with the upper edge of the front end of the corresponding die 18. lVhile all of the dies, 15, 16, 17 and 18 are of uniform width, the extended portion, as b, of each slit is of less length than the original cut, as a. For this reason the beveled face 19 of each die 17 does not extend the full width of the die and each of said dies has a blunt end 36 at one side. In

the expansion of the work, the blunt end 36 of each die 17 engages the work at a part 6, corresponding with a bond of the ex- .panded sheet, for deflecting the adjacent strand, as 0, over the die 18. Similarly, as each die 18 is not required to be provided with a cutting edge throughout its full Width, each of said dies may be provided with a rounded corner, as 37 (Fig. 8). In order that the forward and upward move ment of the slitted sheet, in front of the die 18, may not be interfered with, the for Ward ends of these dies are preferably beveled, as at 38.

To avoid any necessity for individual adjustment of the numerous dies, each of the dies 15, 16, 17 and 18 is desirably made of uniform length with all of the other dies in the same row. Under these circumstances a single pair of stepped wedge blocks, as 39 and 40, 41 and 42, or and 44, serves for adjusting all of the dies 15 and 18, 16 or 17 respectively. As shown, each pair of wedge blocks 39 and 40, 41 and 42 or 43 and 44, reacts between the rear ends of corresponding dies 15 and 18, 16 or 17, and an upright abutment shoulder 47 or 48 at the rear of the said wedge blocks,

the wedge blocks 39 and 40 serving for simultaneous adjustment of both series of dies 15 and 18, while the two series of dies 16 and 17 are separately adjusted by the Wedge blocks 41 and 42 or 43 and 44.

The wedge blocks 39, 41 and 43 are adjusted lengthwise and are held in place by screws 45, 46 and 46 (Fig. 12.)

The punch head 26slides upon a stationary bed plate 49 and provision is madeto prevent any lifting of the punch head from the said bed plate during the engagement of the dies 16, 17 with the work. As shown, a set of T guides 50 (Fig. 3) are mounted in the bed plate 49, and the punch head 26 is formed with T grooves 51, in its under side, for receiving the said T guides, which have lateral clearance therein to allow for longitudinal adjustment of the punch head. The movable dies 16 and 17 are adjusted bodily with the'punch head 26 lengthwise of the machine so as to properly coiiperate with the stationary dies 15 and 18, by screws 26 and adjustable end guides 49 (Figs. 3

and 12). 'Hovement is imparted to the punch head 26 from a drive shaft 52 (Figs. land 12). As shown, this drive shaft extends at the rear of the punch head throughout the entire length of the machine and a plurality of eccentrics, as 53, (only one of which is shown) are mounted upon the said drive shaft at intervals along the same. When this construction is employed a pitman 54 is associated with each eccentric 53,

at one end, and has its other end connected with the punch head 26, as at 55.

The step by step movement of the work through the feed trough 21 is accomplished by the use of a plurality of pairs of feed rolls as 56, 57. These feed rolls are located at intervals throughout the length of the feed trough. The feed rolls of each pair engage the work upon opposite sides through notches, as 58, in the side walls of the trough. To insure uniformity both in the time and the amount of movement of the feed rolls, all of the said feed rolls are preferably actuated from a common drive shaft, as 59 (Fig. 4:). This drive shaft extends under the feed trough 21 and is intermittently driven, as through a pair of beveled gears 60 and 61 located at one end of the said shaft.

Accuracy in the extent of movement imparted to the sheet, as X, at each step, is obtained by the use of a. Geneva stop move ment in the driving mechanism with which the said beveled gears 60, 61, are associated. As shown, the beveled gear 60 is mounted upon the front end of the feed roll drive shaft 59. The beveled gear 61 meshes with the gear 60 and is mounted on a transverse shaft 62. The transverse shaft 62 also carries the cam plate 63 of the said Geneva stop movement. The pin plate 64 of the said Geneva stop movement is located abox e the cam plate 68 and is mounted upon a separate transverse shaft, as 65. Preferably the two parts 63 and 64: of the Geneva stop movement are inclosed within a case, generally designated 66. The transverse shaft 65 extends through the wall of the case 66 at one side and has a universal joint con- 'nection 67 with oneend of an intermediate shaft 68. The other end of the intermediate shaft 68 has a driving connection with the main drive shaft 52;

Above and parallel with the clamps 31, a

, vertically reciprocating truing bar 69 is beveled gears and 76 and an intermediate shaft 77. The beveled gear 76 is mounted on a short transverse shaft 78 in axial alinement with the hinge connection between the frame 70 and bracket 71, and the shaft 77 has universal joint connections 79 and 80 laterally step by step over the clamps 31,

the inner edges of which are beveled or inclined, they are intermittently pressed by the bar 69 down upon the upper fiat faces of the clamps and held in place thereon while the movable dies 16 and 17 are withdrawn clear from the slits and meshes of the sheets, said bar, the working face of which is preferably inclined slightly upward toward the feed trough 21 and overhangs the beveled or inclined faces of the clamps, as shown in Fig. 2, operating to correct any curling, twisting, warping or winding tendency of the expanded sheet metal and leave it flat and true.

The machine has a relatively small number of moving parts and conforms readily to A ruggedness in design and accuracy in constructlon. uniform and pos1t1veand great regularity is obtained in the finished product. The cooperation of the oblique faces 19 of the dies 17 with the oblique abutment shoulders 20 of the former 29 insures regularity in the shape of the strands and the movement of the previously cut strands over the inclined upper surfaces of the fingers 3O greatly assists in obtaining a uniform opening of the meshes.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a machine of the kind described, in combination, twopairs of slitting dies having relative endwise movement successively engageable with the work upon contiguous areas of contact whereby slits produced by the dies of the pair first engageable wit-h the work are extended by the dies of the other pair, the dies of the pair first engageable with the work having square cutting ends and one of the dies of the other pair having an oblique cutting end whereby the dies of the pair first engageable with the work operate simultaneously at all points throughout their width and the dies of the other Furthermore, its operations are pair operate progressively across'the same 7 from one side of the said dies.

engageable with the work having square cutting ends and one of the dies of the other pair having a blunt end and a contiguous oblique cutting face whereby the work is engaged by the said blunt end of the last mentioned die at one side of the slit produced by the dies of the first separately mentioned pair and the said slit is progressively extended by the cooperation of the said oblique cutting face with the other die of the same pair.

In a machine of the kind described, in combination, two pairs of slitting dies having relative endwise movement successively engageable with the work upon contiguous areas of contact whereby slits produced by the dies of the pair first engageable with the work are extended by the dies of the other pair, the dies of the pair first engageable with the work having square cutting ends, one of the dies of the other pair having an oblique cutting end for operation upon the work progressively across the said die from one side of the same, and a fixed oblique abutment located in rear of the cutting end of the remaining die and against whichthe separated portion of the work is pressed by the die having the said oblique cutting end.

at. In a machine of the kind described, in combination, two pairs of slitting dies having relative endwise movement successively engageable wit-h the work upon overlapping areas of contact, the dies of the pair first engageable with the work having square cutting ends, one of the dies of the other pair having a blunt end and a contiguous oblique cutting face whereby the work is engaged by the said blunt end of the last mentioned die at one side of the slit produced by the dies of the first separately mentioned pair and the said slit is progressively extended by the cooperation of the said oblique cutting face with the other die of the same pair, and a fixed oblique abutment located in rear of the cutting end of the last mentioned die and against which the separated portion of the work is pressed by the oblique face of the said die having the blunt end.

5. In a machine of the kind described, in combination, two sets of dies arranged in parallel planes and successively engageable with adjoining areas of the work, means for simultaneously efi'ecting relative endwise movement of the opposing dies, one set of dies being adapted to produce a series of nonoverlapping slits in stepped relation to one another, and one of each pair of opposing dies of the other set having an oblique face and cutting edge and being adapted to extend the slits produced by the first set of dies and to simultaneously expand the work, and means for intermittently feeding the work between the opposing dies.

6. In a machine of the kind described, in combination, two sets of slitting dies arranged with their cutting edges in parallel planes and successively engageable with adjoining areas of the work, means for simultaneously effecting relative endwise movement of the opposing dies, one set of dies being adapted to produce a series of non-overlapping slits in stepped relation to one another, and one of each pair of opposing dies of the other set having an oblique face and cutting edge and being adapted to extend slits produced by dies of the first set, an oblique abutment opposite the oblique face of each oblique faced die of the second set and adapted to cooperate therewith to form an expanded portion of the work, and means for intermittently feeding and exactly positioning the work between the opposing dies.

7. In a machine of the kind described, in combination, a pair of dies in shearing relation having relative endwise movement, one of the said dies being formed with a square cutting end'and the other die being formed wiah a blunt end extending over a part only of the width of the die and with an oblique cutting face which is contiguous with the said blunt end and extends throughout the remainder of the width of the die.

8. In a machine of the kind described, in combination, a pair of dies in shearing relation having relative endwise movement, one of the said dies being formed with a square cutting end, the other die being formed with a blunt end extending over a part only of the width of the die and with an oblique cutting face which is contiguous with the said blunt end and extends throughout the remainder of the width of the die, and an oblique abutment located in rear of the cutting end of the die having the said square end and in line with the oblique face of the die having the said blunt end.

9. In a machine of the kind described, in combination, slitting and expanding dies arranged in opposing rows and capable of relative movement lengthwise toward and from each other, and a pair of wedge blocks one of which is adjustable lengthwise relative to the other and transversely to the dies and adapted to simultaneously adjust lengthwise to an equal extent all the dies of a row.

10. In a machine of the kind described, in combination, a guide-way for the work, fixed and movable die heads arranged on opposite sides of the guide-way and pro vided with longitudinal shoulders, a set of slitting dies mounted in two opposing parallel rows on said heads obliquely to the movement of the work through the guideway, a set of auxiliary slitting and expanding dies, also mounted on said heads in two rows parallel with the rows of the other set, a pair of adjusting wedge blocks between the outer ends of both rows of dies of the fixed head and the shoulder thereon, and a pair of adjusting wedge blocks between the outer ends of each row of dies of the movable head and the shoulder thereon.

11. In a machine of the kind described, in combination, a guide-way for the work, slitting and expanding dies arranged in opposing rows on opposite sides of the guide-way obliquely to the movement of the work therethrough, means for moving the dies on one side of the guide-way toward and from the opposing dies, means for intermittently feeding the work through the guide-way between the dies, and a reciprocating truing bar arranged to operate on the expanded metal.

12. In a machine of the kind described, in combination, a guide-way for the work, fixed and movable slitting and expanding dies arranged in parallel rows on opposite sides of the guide-way obliquely to the movement of the work therethrough, means for reciprocating the movable dies, means for intermittently feeding the work through the guide-way between the opposing dies, a frame hinged at one end and detachably fastened at the other end to fixed parts of the machine, a reciprocating truing bar guided in said frame opposite and parallel with a stationary part of the machine adjacent to and parallel with the row of fixed expanding dies, an actuating shaft mounted in said frame parallel with said truing bar and connected therewith, and a driving connection with said shaft at the hinged end of said frame.

18. In a machine of the kind described, in combination, a guide-way for the work, a set of fixed and reciprocating slitting dies arranged in two rows on opposite sides of the guide-way, a set of fixed and reciprocating auxiliary slitting and expanding dies also arranged 'on opposite sides of the guideway parallel with the other rows of dies to extend the slits formed by the first set of dies, and feeding mechanism for intermittent-1y advancing the work through said guide'way predetermined intervals and locking and holding the work in exact positions for the operation of the dies thereon.

14. In a machine of the kind described in combination, two pairs of slitting dies successively engageable with the work upon overlapping areas of contact, the dies of the pair last engageable with the work having relative endwise movement and one of said dies having a blunt end and a contiguous oblique cutting face whereby the work is engaged by the said blunt end at one side of the slit produced by the dies of the pair first engageable with the work and the said slit is progressively extended by the cooperation of the said oblique cutting face with the other die of the same pair.

FRANK MURRAY WHETSTONE. 

